Three methods are described for the preparation of silylplatinous complexes, viz. (a) reaction of R₃¹SiLi compounds with cis-[PtCl₂(PR²₃)₂] and [PtCl₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)] to give cis-[Pt(SiR¹₃)₂(PR²₃)₂](R¹₃Si = MePh₂Si, R²₃P = Me₂PhP or R¹₃Si = Me₂PhSi, R²₃P = MePh₂P) and [Pt(SiR¹₃)₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)](R¹₃Si = MePh₂Si), respectively; (b) reaction of trichlorosilane or triarylsilanes, R₃SiH, with trans-[PtHCl(PMe₂Ph)₂] to give trans-[PtCl(SiR₃)(PMe₂Ph)₂](R = Cl, C₆F₅, or XC₆H₄ where X = H, p-OMe, p-NMe₂, m-CF₃, p-CF₃, m-F, p-F, p-Cl, p-Me); (c) reaction of triarylsilanes, R₃SiH, with [PtX₂(QMe₂Ph)₂] compounds, where X = Cl or Br and Q = P or As, in benzene–triethylamine to give trans-[PtX(SiR₃)(QMe₂Ph)₂] derivatives (e.g., R₃Si = MePh₂Si or R = XC₆H₄, where X = H, p-OMe, p-NMe₂, and m- or p-F, -Cl, -CF₃, and -Me). Triphenylgermane behaves analogously in reactions (b) and (c), and triethylstannane in reaction (b).

Features of the n.m.r. and i.r. spectra are discussed, and the very low values of ν(Pt–Cl) and ν(Pt–Br) in the trans-[PtX(SiR¹₃)(PR²₃)₂] compounds are ascribed to the large inductive trans-effect of silicon. The cleavages of the Pt–Si bonds in some of these compounds by halogen, hydrogen chloride, methyl iodide, thiophenol, and hydrogen are described.